Endurance saddle pads cut for jump saddle

[Tucked_Away]

So horse and I had a great time on our first 25-mile CTR and will definitely be going back for more. We’re going to try a two-day 50, also CTR, in August, and an endurance 50 in October if all goes well with that.

Horse has battled intermittent idiopathic back-soreness in the past but is (knock wood) currently doing well. I’m riding in my jump saddle and did the 25 in just a plain cotton AP pad, because that’s what’s been working best, and his back was declared “perfect” at the vetting out. Hurrah!

I would really like to upgrade his saddle pad to something non-cotton and with more shock-absorption. Have been reading up on endurance pads, but I don’t have an easy way to check them out in person and it looks/sound like most of them are designed for saddles with a much straighter flap than mine. Is this true or optical illusion?

I’m also looking at some of the popular sport-horse options but am just not loving what I’m seeing/what I’ve tried in the past.

Thoughts and recommendations? Thanks!

[gothedistance]

Cloud Nine had saddle pads cut to the English jumping saddle pattern. Wonderful pads - very lush, with a removable foam interior. I snatched up as many as I could find back when I was Endurance riding/foxhunting/trail riding in my English saddles, and even used them with my Barefoot.

They aren’t cheap, but you get top quality - materials, make, and fit - with them, and they last forever even under the most grueling of use. I have three with well over 3,000 miles on them (two were purchased used from a (now deceased) friend who did 100 mile rides), and they still look as good as new.

http://www.cloudninesaddlepads.com/

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

Toklat Woolback pads are fantastic, and they come in many different shapes. The AP pad looks like it has a pretty forward flap - maybe it would work for you?

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Toklat_Woolback_All_Purpose_Saddle_Pad/descpage-TWAPSP.html

If not, contact these folks anyway, they may be able to help. My saddle is a weird shape, and they were able to get Toklat to make me a semi-custom Woolback pad for only a few dollars extra.

[GaitedGloryRider]

5 Star makes English pads…pretty sure they do custom too. Added bonus you can use their “disposable” pad liners with them to keep them clean and add a little more protection. They are pricey but worth the investment, I’ve got a 5 Star I’ve been using and abusing for ten years now, still looks practically new when I clean it up.

http://5starequineproducts.com/saddle-pads/english-contoured-saddle-pads/

[Kitt]

Thinline pad would be worth a look. Tom at Skito will also make you pretty much anything you want. Toklat also makes custom pads, or may have something “off the rack” that would work.

[candysgirl]

My jump saddle (Stubben Roxane) fits well enough that I really can just ride with a thin cotton pad and be fine. However, when foxhunting I put a white Thinline between the cotton pad and the saddle. I’m not sure that it makes a real difference, but it makes me feel better. He does move a bit more freely in his dressage saddle with a Thinline than without though.

For endurance rides (and the conditioning rides for them) I use an Equipedic English pad. My Arab seems to really like it. I was hesitant to buy it, but I’m glad I did. First off, it was expensive and I don’t typically buy new, expensive things at retail price (I shop deals and stalk eBay and Craigslist for things like this usually). Second, I have a long leg and a pretty forward flap (though not extreme) saddle. It actually works fine with it. Aesthetically its a little ‘off’ just because it comes down farther at the bottom than it is forward or behind the flap, but the entire saddle sits on it with a bit of room to spare. Visually, it bugs me a little, but functionally its perfectly fine. Its just not the shape a fitted English pad normally is. The good news is, because of the kind of odd shape, it also works with my dressage saddle.

The foam comes out of them and the covers are machine washable. I typically brush the sweat and hair off the under side of mine before I put it on, but don’t take it apart and wash it terribly often.

[chicamuxen1]

If your saddle fits well with a thin pad then switching to a thick pad will change it’s fit. I was also going to suggest adding a Thinline pad to use on top of a thin pad. The Thinline material is very thin.

Bonnie S.

[Tucked_Away]

[QUOTE=chicamuxen1;7042946]
If your saddle fits well with a thin pad then switching to a thick pad will change it’s fit.[/QUOTE]

Yep, this is the conundrum. I’d rather have the saddle fit the horse on its own than do a lot of fancy padding, so it’s fine – just hoping I can get a pad that will work a little harder within bounds of the set-up we have.

Thanks, all, for the thoughts! I haven’t been impressed with Thinline in the past (though I know folks love them) but some of these look promising – I will investigate.